Student Projects
Permaculture Project
“permanent agriculture,” “permanent culture,” designing and implementing sustainable systems, a holistic approach to land use, which works with nature’s rhythms and patterns
The STAR school students have learned much about the four elements of permaculture: air, fire, water and earth, while working on their garden, the campus desert landscape, and within their school greenhouse. Several subtopics of the four elements were studied throughout the school year including the subject of soil.
First, the primary students came up with a list of questions:
- How do plants survive in the soil?
- What makes soil good or bad?
- Is STAR School soil dry?
- What temperature is it?
- What are the different types of soil?
- How does the soil make the plants grow?
- What types of bugs go in the soil?
- How do the plants “eat” the soil?
These questions were then researched
in different ways, beyond the four walls
of the classroom.
The students conducted soil research on the STAR campus within the
landscape and gardens. They found the living soil to be fascinating. Students such as Chanteal wanted to stay outside to conduct her own soil explorations
even after her cooperative group work was finished. While she examined the soil sift between her fingers, she told Ms. Richards, “I love being outside!” While the students worked on the xeriscape around the school campus, they developed a new awareness of and respect for the land.
Sandy Canyon Investigation
The STAR intermediate students also wrote in their science journals following inquiry-based field trips such as thisThe STAR intermediate students also wrote in their science journals following inquiry-based field trips such as this one to Sandy Canyon.
Canyon Diablo Project
Canyon Diablo originates from the blue mesas in the distance and flows
through a canyon cut intoKaibab Limestone to the Little Colorado River.
This past spring, the STAR school students investigated Canyon Diablo, Sandy Canyon, and the land around the STAR school. The students found many things from the plant world and animal world, and they learned about local history, culture, and the Earth’s geological history. There existed much excitement over what was discovered, observed & learned which is evidenced in the student work.
